UH's rallies fall short vs. USM, bringing season near end

Updated 10:35 pm, Thursday, May 24, 2012

Photo: Joe Ellis, Associated Press

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Southern Mississippi's Isaac Rodriguez displays the ball after tagging out Houston's Jonathan Davis at second during their NCAA college baseball game in the Conference USA tournament, Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Pearl, Miss. Southern Mississippi won 8-7. (AP Photo/The Clarion-Ledger, Joe Ellis) NO SALES

Southern Mississippi's Isaac Rodriguez displays the ball after tagging out Houston's Jonathan Davis at second during their NCAA college baseball game in the Conference USA tournament, Thursday, May 24, 2012, in

Southern Mississippi's Isaac Rodriguez (16) is out at second as Houston's Jake Runte holds his throw to first during their Conference USA college baseball game in Pearl, Miss., Thursday, May 24, 2012. Runte wasn't able to complete the double play. USM won 8-7. (AP Photo/The Clarion-Ledger, Joe Ellis)

Southern Mississippi's Isaac Rodriguez (16) is out at second as Houston's Jake Runte holds his throw to first during their Conference USA college baseball game in Pearl, Miss., Thursday, May 24, 2012. Runte

Southern Mississippi's Travis Creel lays down a sacrifice bunt against Houston during an NCAA college baseball game in the Conference USA tournament, Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Pearl, Miss. Southern Mississippi won 8-7. (AP Photo/The Clarion-Ledger, Joe Ellis) NO SALES

Southern Mississippi's Travis Creel lays down a sacrifice bunt against Houston during an NCAA college baseball game in the Conference USA tournament, Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Pearl, Miss. Southern Mississippi

Southern Mississippi's Bradley Roney, right, gets a fist bump from Travis Creel after Roney scored against Houston during the 10th inning of an NCAA college baseball game in the Conference USA tournament, Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Pearl, Miss. Southern Mississippi won 8-7. (AP Photo/The Clarion-Ledger, Joe Ellis) NO SALES

Southern Mississippi's Bradley Roney, right, gets a fist bump from Travis Creel after Roney scored against Houston during the 10th inning of an NCAA college baseball game in the Conference USA tournament,

PEARL, Miss. - Houston's tumultuous season is on the verge of coming to a merciful end.

After twice rallying Thursday, the Cougars lost to Southern Miss 8-7 in 10 innings in the Conference USA tournament at Trustmark Park.

The Cougars came back from a 5-1 deficit with four runs in the seventh and scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Pinch-hitter Austin Roussel delivered a RBI single for the game-winner to send the Cougars to a second consecutive close loss. Houston (17-35-1) will play its season finale at 7 p.m. Friday against Memphis.

UH center fielder Landon Appling tied a C-USA tournament record with five hits scored three runs and drove in another.

"The one thing about our team is they don't ever quit," UH coach Todd Whitting said. "They've been kicked, been knocked down as many times as any team I've ever seen, whether losses or injuries they continue to play had."

With the game tied at 5, UH reliever Mo Wiley, cleared a day earlier after missing a few weeks with a broken jaw, issued a lead off walk to Bradley Roney. After a single by Kameron Brunty put runners on the corners, Roussel hit a ground ball up the middle off reliever Aaron Stewart. UH shortstop Jake Runte was unable to make the play, allowing the eventual game-winning run to score.

The Cougars had the tying run on base in the bottom half of the inning when Runte drew a one-out walk. Chase Horn entered the game in relief and induced a pair of fly balls to end the game.